Safety latch mechanism enforcing proper disconnect sequence

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for forcing a service technician to follow a proper servicing sequence that reduces the potential for an electric shock. Embodiments of the latch mechanism maintain a cable connection unless a tray connector is first disconnected. Embodiments enforce the disconnect sequence using a trigger that is actuated by the disconnecting of the tray connector, a latch-lock in the cable connector that is biased to block a cable connector disconnect mechanism, and a mechanical link between the trigger and the latch-lock. The actuation of the trigger is transmitted by the mechanical link to the latch-lock, which moves in response, unlocking the cable connector and allowing it to be disconnected.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a first connector including:
 a release mechanism the actuation of which allows the disconnection of the first connector, and 
 a sliding block movable between a first position in which the release mechanism is not actuatable and a second position in which the release mechanism is actuatable; 
 
 a second connector moveable between a connected and a disconnected position; 
 a trigger movable between a triggered and an untriggered position; and 
 a cable connected between the trigger and the sliding block such that movement of the trigger is transferred to the sliding block, wherein: 
 when the second connector is in the connected position and the sliding block is in the first position and the trigger is in the untriggered position, in response to movement of the second connector from the connected position to the disconnected position the trigger moves from the untriggered position to the triggered position, the movement of the trigger to the triggered position causing the cable to move the sliding block to the second position in which the release mechanism is actuatable. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the release mechanism includes a first post including a first head, the first head configured to engage a first slot associated with a mating connector when the first head is in an unactuated position and configured to disengage the first slot when the first head is in an actuated position; 
 movement of the first post in a first direction moves the first head to the actuated position; and 
 the sliding block in the first position prevents movement of the first post in the first direction. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a tray moveable within a chassis between an inserted position and a withdrawn position, wherein:
 the second connected is mounted to the tray; 
 when the tray is in the inserted position the second connector is in the connected position; 
 when the tray is in the withdrawn position the second connector is in the disconnected position; 
 movement of the tray from the inserted position to the withdrawn position causes movement of the second connector from the connected position to the disconnected position and also causes the trigger to move from the untriggered position to the triggered position. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the tray includes a window; 
 the trigger includes a trigger arm biased by a first spring to extend through the window; 
 when the tray is in the inserted position the chassis blocks the window and when the tray is in withdrawn position the chassis does not block the window; 
 the trigger is in the triggered position when extended through the window and in the untriggered position when the window is blocked and the trigger is not extended through the window; and 
 movement of the trigger to the triggered position pulls the cable causing the sliding block to move to the second position. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein:
 a second spring biases the sliding block in the second position; and 
 the first spring and the second spring are sized such that the first spring overcomes the second spring in moving the trigger to the triggered position. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the release mechanism includes a second post including a second head, the second head configured to engage a second slot associated with the mating connector in an unactuated position and to disengage the second slot in an actuated position; 
 movement of the second post in a second direction moves the second head to the actuated position; and 
 the sliding block in the first position prevents movement of the second post in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first post and the second post are on either side of the release mechanism and when moving from the second position to the first position the sliding block moves between the first post and the second post. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the mating connector includes a third slot configured to accept the sliding block. 
     
     
       9. A method of ensuring a disconnection sequence, the method comprising:
 when: a second connector is in a connected position, and a sliding block is in a first position in which a release mechanism of a first connector is not actuatable, and a trigger is in an untriggered position, moving the second connector from the connected position to a disconnected position; 
 causing, by the movement of the second connector to the disconnected position, the trigger to move to a triggered position; 
 causing, by the movement of the trigger to the triggered position, a cable to move the sliding block to a second position in which the release mechanism is actuatable; 
 actuating the release mechanism; and 
 disconnecting the first connector. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the release mechanism includes a first post including a first head, the first head configured to engage a first slot associated with a mating connector when the first head is in an unactuated position and configured to disengage the first slot when the first head is in an actuated position; 
 movement of the first post in a first direction moves the first head to the actuated position; and 
 the sliding block in the first position prevents movement of the first post in the first direction. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the second connected is mounted to a tray; 
 when the tray is in an inserted position the second connector is in a connected position; 
 when the tray is in a withdrawn position the second connector is in a disconnected position; and 
 movement of the tray from the inserted position to the withdrawn position causes the movement of the second connector to the disconnected position and the trigger to move to a triggered position. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the tray includes a window; 
 the trigger includes a trigger arm biased by a first spring to extend through the window; 
 when the tray is in the inserted position the chassis blocks the window and when the tray is in withdrawn position the chassis does not block the window; 
 the trigger is in the triggered position when extended through the window and in the untriggered position when the window is blocked and the trigger is not extended through the window; and 
 movement of the trigger to the triggered position pulls the cable causing the sliding block to move to the second position in which the release mechanism is actuatable. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein:
 a second spring biases the sliding block in the second position; and 
 the first spring and the second spring are sized such that the first spring overcomes the second spring in moving the trigger to the triggered position. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the release mechanism includes a second post including a second head, the second head configured to engage a second slot associated with the mating connector in an unactuated position and to disengage the second slot in an actuated position; 
 movement of the second post in a second direction moves the second head to the actuated position; and 
 the sliding block in the first position prevents movement of the second post in the second direction. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first post and the second post are on either side of the release mechanism and when moving from the second position to the first position the sliding block moves between the first post and the second post. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the mating connector includes a third slot configured to accept the sliding block.